Connecticut Town Offers Rehab Instead Of Jail Time For Some:

The town of Vernon in Tolland County is joining what the Hartford Courant said is a “growing trend” in offering drug addicts treatment rather than jail time.

Vernon police Chief James Kenny said he was intrigued by the option after seeing how neighboring city Manchester was treating those struggling with addiction, the Hartford Courant reported. Berlin, New Britain and dozens of other towns and cities across the state are choosing treatment over incarceration.

Vernon Police said those in possession of large quantities of drugs will be arrested rather than treated.

Another Mass Shooting Leaves Seven Dead:

Seven people were killed in West Texas on Aug. 31 after a man pulled over by state troopers pulled out a rifle and shot at law enforcement. The shooter, identified as a 36-year-old white male, then proceeded to drive two miles, firing at others in his path. Among the dead was a 15-year-old.

Uncoincidentally, Texas passed a bill making it easier for guns to be carried in the state the next day. The law would allow for guns to be carried in churches, school parking lots and other public places. Governor Greg Abbott of Texas argued it would keep his state safer.

53 people died in mass shootings in August alone.

Hurricane Dorian Batters The Bahamas:

A monster Category 5 storm made landfall in the Bahamas over the weekend, wreaking havoc on nearly half a million people. As of Monday, Hurricane Dorain was moving northwest towards the United States at 3 mph, threatening part of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

Wind gusts of over 220 mph were measured on the Abaco Islands, according to CNN. Multiple reports of destroyed homes have been reported, CNN also said. As of Monday, five fatalities had been reported.

Dorian, which was downgraded to a Category 4 hurricane Monday, was expected to get “dangerously close” to Flordia’s east coast in the coming 24 hours. The state opened over 100 shelters in preparation and said it has the National Guard standing by.